The Spoiling of Beauty

Have you wished
for beauty,
that loveliness kissed
with lips of ruby
your brow?

Let us imagine
it happened,
and all with passion
were maddened
by you.

You could go nowhere
to breathe.
You were the flower
to bees
in the field.

When you were present
you gratified
and acquiescent
you catalysed
their need.

Your charm defrayed
those charges
that were raised
through largess
by want.

Now show your face,
its flaws and boons.
Does it pay
to grace a room?
No, it doesn't.

We could be free
not once but doubly
Let's make a plea
to be ugly
as sin.

We'd walk this land
tall as giants
with faces bland
in defiance
of man.